In development since at least 2009, alleged real-life story Lords Of Chaos is now back on a faster track thanks to Ridley Scott’s Scott Free company. He has Small Apartments' Jonas Akerlund preparing to direct Caleb Landry Jones and Rory Culkin in a tale of black metal, madness and death{
Described this time as based on real events, the new script, which Akerlund co-wrote with Dennis Magnusson, is once again drawing from Michael Moynihan and Didrik Søderlind’s eponymous book which charts the wildly changing fortunes of 17-year-old Øystein Aarseth, who was determined to escape his traditional upbringing in 1980s Oslo. He began playing Norwegian black metal under the name Euronymous with his band Mayhem and drummed up publicity by putting on shocking stunts. But things quickly spiral out of control and his contact with Varg Vikernes, AKA 'The Count', of one-man-band Burzum led to a tragic turn of events. Events in the book, which, it should be noted, many of those involved have since called into question.
Akerlund seems like a solid choice to make this one, given his own history with black metal: he was the original drummer for legendary Swedish band Bathory, and has extensive experience working as a director with musicians. He’s aiming to start shooting later this year in Norway.
Jones will next be seen in Roland Emmerich’s Stonewall, which has yet to set a UK release date. Culkin will be seen in indie movies Shut In and the untitled directorial debut of actor-turned-shot-caller Ari Gold.